EXCITING NEWS!

Helping Other People Eat Launches Capital Campaign to Provide Clinical Support Services to Central Floridians Struggling with Eating Disorders

All funds raised from 9th Annual Golf for H.O.P.E. Tournament will be dedicated to increasing access to psychological services and clinical support groups around Orlando.

Feb. 10, 2018 -- Orlando, FL-- Helping Other People Eat (H.O.P.E., Inc.) announced the launch of their capital campaign to benefit those struggling with eating disorders in Central Florida. The campaign, in partnership with The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness and the Eating Disorders Network of Central Florida, is a collaboration between three Florida-based nonprofits that will bring free and low cost treatment and support services to Orlando for those affected by eating disorders.

The capital campaign will be the organization’s focus at the 9th Annual Golf for H.O.P.E. Tournament on Monday, February 19 held at Keene's Pointe Golden Bear Club located in Windermere, Florida. The event organizers are striving to raise enough funds to expand free clinician-led support groups around Central Florida in 2018 and low cost psychological services by post-doctoral fellows to those needing one-on-one therapy in 2019.

"H.O.P.E., the Alliance and EDNCF have worked together for the prevention and awareness of eating disorders for many years," said H.O.P.E. founder Allison Kreiger Walsh, JD. “This is an issue that only becomes more and more prevalent, and yet the resources have unfortunately been very scarce for those with limited access to insurance or funds to cover the cost of treatment.”

The need for expanded resources is an ever-growing issue. Every 62 minutes, someone dies as a direct result of their eating disorder.

“With eating disorders being the leading cause of death among all mental illnesses, H.O.P.E. and EDNCF knew they had to expand the services they provide in order to better serve the Central Florida community,” said Johanna Kandel, Founder of The Alliance. “We are tremendously excited to be able to expand our trusted model to the Orlando area in order to help those in need.”

“The opportunity to unite to bring these much-needed services to the local community is an honor, and we are thrilled that The Alliance will be overseeing these efforts in Orlando," said Marnie Davis, MA, LMHC, CEDS, EDNCF board member. “They’ve successfully led the charge for over 15 years in South Florida and we are so excited they will be able to implement their services here because of our financial support.”

In order to open the psychological support services center in 2019, the groups must raise $160,000.

“Members of H.O.P.E. and EDNCF have worked tirelessly over the years to help their fellow citizens.” said Dyer. “The new clinical groups and eventual one-on-one options will allow for many more indiivduals to gain access to life-saving care than ever before.”

Named sponsors of the 9th Annual tournament include Advanced Recovery Systems, Walsh Banks, PLLC, Fidelity National Timeshare, Raymond James, Launch That, and Rivermend Health. Nearly 50 other community businesses and organizations have donated services or made financial contributions to make the event a success.

Registration and lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m., with tee-off at 1 p.m. The afternoon will include lunch, a silent auction, hole-in-one contest and will conclude with an awards dinner reception.

For more information on the Golf for H.O.P.E tournament, or to support H.O.P.E, visit HopetoLive.com or contact Allison Kreiger Walsh at AllisonKreiger@yahoo.com.

---About Helping Other People Eat: Helping Other People Eat (H.O.P.E.) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on the prevention and awareness of eating disorders. For the past 16 years, members of H.O.P.E. have personally spoken to over 100,000 individuals and have been featured by local and national press outlets. The organization has funded scholarships for treatment for those who could not afford it in the Central Florida community since 2014. Through the "Blue Jeans for True Genes" awareness campaigns, volunteers collected over 25,000 pair of jeans and donated them to people in need across the state of Florida while encouraging others to "be comfortable in their genes." In 2010, HOPE launched the Get R.E.A.L. Program, encouraging everyone to set "Realistic Expectations and Attitudes for Life." This program was delivered free of charge to over 12,000 schools, colleges, legislative offices, community health organizations in the state of Florida. In 2013, H.O.P.E. collaborated with Blue Horizon Eating Disorder Services to launch the Eating Disorder Current Concepts mobile app program available for free download in iTunes and GooglePlay. For more information, please visit www.hopetolive.com.

About The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness: The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing programs and activities aimed at outreach, education, early intervention, and advocacy for all eating disorders. Founded in October 2000, The Alliance has worked tirelessly to raise awareness; eliminate secrecy and stigma; promote access to care; and support those susceptible to, currently struggling with, and recovered from eating disorders. We create a bridge for those needing and seeking help by connecting people with resources to assist them in recovery. The Alliance offers comprehensive services, including: educational presentations to schools, healthcare providers, hospitals, treatment centers, and community agencies; free, clinician-led weekly support groups for those struggling and for their loved ones; support and referrals through both our free help-line and comprehensive referral website, www.findEDhelp.com; and advocacy for eating disorders and mental health legislation. In August 2017, The Alliance opened Psychological Services, which offers direct, low-cost, life-saving treatment to underinsured and uninsured adults in our community. Since its inception, The Alliance has offered presentations on eating disorders, positive body image, and self-esteem to more than 290,000 individuals nationwide. For more information on The Alliance, please visit www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com

About The Eating Disorder Network of Central Florida: The Eating Disorder Network of Central Florida is a volunteer-based organization committed to raising awareness about eating disorders and providing quality treatment to individuals and families suffering from eating disorder and body image issues. Through collaborative work with organizations across the country and coordination of community outreach and fundraising activities, EDNCF is committed to increasing awareness, advocating for comprehensive, evidenced based treatment and promoting body acceptance for all. In 2011, EDNCF launched the EDNCF Treatment Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to those in the central Florida area who are having difficulty paying for their eating disorder or body image issues treatment. To date, EDNCF has granted over $75,000 to cover medical, mental health and other related treatments.

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Helping Other People Eat is a 501c3 nonprofit organization | Tax ID: 74-3175988